Sometimes, you can get a sense of the enormity of a loss from the way people react to the news. And the shock and visceral heartbreak that erupted across the Massachusetts music scene at the news that musician and promoter Anderson Lynne Mar had died spoke volumes.

Mar, according to the music blog Vanyaland, "a well-known figure in the Boston music scene and the city's underground and goth/fetish circles, has passed away at the age of 41. Mar suffered critical injuries from a March 24 fire at a Fall River apartment, and today that city's officials revealed that the Wakefield musician and promoter died Friday after four days on life support. Southern New England news station NBC 10 reported that the fire was an accident, and caused by candles that ignited a couch at the first-floor Fulton Street residence.

"Mar was an instructor at the Boston School of Rock and founder of Dark Sky Productions, a live music and nightlife booking agency that specialized in goth, punk, and underground music. She was also the singer of goth band Sans Nomenclature, whose next gig was Friday, April 11 at the Cantab Lounge's 'Club Bohemia' in Cambridge. It would have been Mar's 42nd birthday."

It didn't help that the news of her death broke on April 1, with many hoping against hope that it was an extremely cruel April Fool's joke. But it was clear that not only was Mar beloved, she was beloved by a wide diversity of musicians, from punks and rockers to goths and indie artists.

Indie musician Anda Volley of Southboro explained, "So many stories about Anders go like this: 'She gave our band our first show.' 'She was nice and generous to our band when most aren't.' 'She was an authentic, unique character.' 'She had been dedicated and loyal to the Boston music scene since the early '90s, and shaped it greatly.' What people remember most about her is what she did for them specifically, and how she treated them nicely. Hundreds of people commented on her passing. I'm glad I got to meet her, see her perform, and glimpse the same qualities that everyone else experienced of her. And, she was a badass rocker."

For many, Mar was a presence at the start of their careers.

"I met this woman in high school when I was in one of my first punk bands," says Erin Riles of Worcester, who has performed with the Chlozapines and other bands. "She was so nice."

"So unbelievably sad," concurred Worcester's Trey Holton, of The River Neva. "I had some great times with her at shows back in the day. She spread nothing but positive vibes to all those around her. Her shows brought a community together and she was always there to give advice and help bands out. I cannot say that I knew her outside of music, but I am glad to have known her in that capacity."

Boston musician Walter Sickert, of Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys, posted in the comments on Vanyaland that, "We lost a powerful force in the Boston music scene. However, the way Anderson Lynne Mar nurtured music in this city will live on forever. All the people she touched and taught were changed for the better by her encouragement and energy … She inspired and invested in numerous bands, she helped to make the Boston music scene better and weirder. In her memory, write more music, go to more shows, and love each other even harder." (Victor D. Infante)

There's something endearing about Kristen Merlin of Hanson. She may look tough on the outside but there were some waterworks Tuesday night after her coach on "The Voice," Shakira, chose her to remain on the team and head into the next round of the singing competition.

Though we didn't see much of Merlin's performance, (some are cut short due to time) the solid vocals and perfect pitch that have kept her in the competition were evident as she and Emily B. sang The Dixie Chicks "I Can Love You Better."

This week Jake Worthington, the young, huggable Texan who got a second chance this season after failing to turn a chair last season, also moved on. He's one to watch, not just for his greatly improved singing abilities but for his genuine tenderness. After he and Tess Boyer performed "Have a Little Faith in Me" by John Hiatt, Blake Shelton kept Worthington, giving up Boyer, whom he'd saved from elimination with a steal during the first battle rounds.

Backstage Worthington gave a big, "There ya go!" when three coaches pressed their buttons to save Boyer again. She's in the unique position to have worked with three coaches, Usher, Shelton and now Shakira. If there are points for being a good guy, Worthington's already a winner.

A notable performance pitted Stevie Jo (who resembles Darren E. Burrows during his "Northern Exposure" days) against landscaper Morgan Wallen, who has had no vocal training and "just found out" he has a falsetto. The pair performed "Story of My Life" by One Direction. While coach Usher chose metal singer Stevie Jo to move on, Adam Levine called Wallen to his chair, where they bumped fists as Levine pressed his button to steal Wallen, saving him from elimination.

Some voices to watch are Delvin Choice, Kat Perkins, Bria Kelly and Sisaundra Lewis. If bigger is better, any one of the four could take this competition in the end.

There's one more round in the second series of battles on Monday. The competition airs at 8 p.m. on NBC. (Kim Ring)